Path and lights to be built through nature reserve
BBCA new walking and cycling path will be built through a nature reserve despite protests from wildlife activists.
Newcastle City Council has approved plans for a route through the Havannah Nature Reserve, to connect the Great Park estate to Hazlerigg.
The planned asphalt walkway sparked strong objections from environmental campaigners, with fears the lights that will line the path could have damaging consequences for a number of species within the sanctuary.
But the local authority's planning committee approved the Newcastle Great Park Consortium's proposals on Friday after hearing the track was essential for the opening of the new Great Park Academy school building.
More than 1,600 people signed a petition by Save Newcastle Wildlife opposing the scheme.
A spokesperson for the group told the BBC the decision was "devastating to see" as removing habitat and installing 5m high (8.5ft) LED lighting posts would cause "significant harm".
"Trees and vegetation are going to be removed and lighting will be installed through the reserve and along the southern boundary, which is a key foraging route for bats," they said.
"Great crested newts will be impacted as well as Alder Signaller moths, badgers and otters.
"The route could have avoided the nature reserve entirely with a bit more planning. It's a shame alternatives weren't given more consideration."
'Notorious dogging area'
During the meeting, Hazlerigg Parish Council's Sheila Barbour said she supported efforts to facilitate active travel "but not at the expense of the natural environment".
Calling for a "safe and less environmentally harmful" option to be pursued, she claimed the path would end in an unlit field - close to a car park which is a "notorious dogging area".
However, the Gosforth Group Multi-Academy Trust argued the pathway was critical for pupils who will attend Great Park Academy once its new building opens later this year.
Corinne Raybould, the trust's chief projects officer, said the existing wagonway through the reserve was uneven and prone to flooding, making it unsuitable for hundreds of youngsters to rely on for access to school.
The council's planning committee granted permission for the project, which was a requirement of previous approvals for the building of Great Park estate itself, by eight votes to one.
Councillors heard 196 trees would be planted next to the former Sage offices to make up for the environmental damage done to the nature reserve, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
In addition to the route through the Havannah sanctuary, plans were also approved for another foot and cycle path on land to the south of the former Sage offices on Wagonway Drive as well as the replacement of two existing bridges over the River Ouseburn.